What concern is reflected in the governmental structure established by the Articles of Confederation?

The concern reflected in the governmental structure established by the Articles of Confederation is primarily the fear of centralized federal authority that would replicate the rule of Great Britain. After the experience of British colonial rule, which many found oppressive and tyrannical, the framers of the Articles opted for a system that favored state sovereignty and limited the powers of the federal government. This was evident in the design of a weak central authority that lacked the power to tax, regulate trade, or enforce laws, as the states held most of the power.

This structure aimed to ensure that individual liberties were preserved and that the government would be more responsive to the needs and wishes of the states and their citizens. The Articles reflected a strong commitment to avoiding the concentration of power in a national government, akin to the monarchy they fought against during the American Revolution.

While concerns regarding defense, citizenship, and revolutionary ideas are significant historical themes, they do not directly relate to the central focus of fear surrounding a strong centralized federal government within the context of the Articles of Confederation.